Raketenjagdpanzer 2 (History)

Development

The Raketenjagdpanzer 2 was similar to the Raketenjagdpanzer 1, but based on the heavier chassis and hull used by the KanJPz , instead of the HS.30 hull. It still carried the Nord SS.11 ATGM though. The RakJPz 2 was much faster, better armored, had a longer range, and more reliable than the Raketenjagdpanzer 1. As such, it was used into the 1980's whereas the RakJPz 1 was used for a much shorter time. Hanomag and Henschel produced prototypes from 1963 to 1965, when the Bundeswehr placed an order for 318.

Design

Hull

As it used the same hull and chassis as the KanJPz, the RakJPz 2 was nearly identical in most aspects. The crew compartment was arranged differently, though. The driver maintained the same position, but the commander's position was moved to the right front of the crew compartment. Between and slightly behind the driver and commander was the gunner, located slightly in front, but between the missile launchers. The loader was moved to the center rear of the crew compartment, between and behind the missile launchers. The commander and driver each had hatches, but the commander did not have a cupola.

Armament

The RakJPz 2 differed from the KanJPz in that it did not have the 90 mm gun, but instead had two launchers for Nord SS.11 ATGM's. The launchers would automatically reload by retracting into the hull through hatches. The Nord SS.11 missile was a manual command to line-of-sight (MCLOS) wire-guided missile. It had 6.8 kg warhead, and could penetrate 600 mm of RHA, and its maximum range was 3 km. There were still two 7.62 mm MG3 machine guns, but in different locations. The ring-mounted MG3 was moved with the commander's hatch, and the mount was changed to a pintle mount. The second machine gun was located in the right side of the glacis, in a ball mount.

Production and Service

318 vehicles were produced by Henschel and Hanomag, entering service in 1967. They equipped tank destroyer companies of panzer-grenadier brigades and panzer brigades. In panzer brigades each tank destroyer company had a total of 13 RakJPz 2, while a panzer-grenadier brigade had a total of 8 RakJPz 2. By 1978 the RakJPz 2 was unable to compete with new Soviet designs, and needed upgrading to stay in service. As such, all but two RakJPz 2 received an upgrade, with HOT (High Subsonic, Optical, Remote-Guided, Tube-Launched) missiles replacing the SS.11 missiles. The final product of the upgrade included applique armor. This version became known as the Raketenjagdpanzer 3 or Jaguar 1. The upgrades were completed by 1982. The Jaguar 1 later received upgrades and became the Jaguar 1A3.